DETROIT — Not only did the Tigers and White Sox dodge the rain Tuesday afternoon, but the sun emerged from the clouds over Comerica Park as the Detroit rallied in the seventh inning. And as Niko Goodrum’s go-ahead single spearheaded a three-run inning that delivered a 5-3 win, the clearing skies seemed fitting.
It marked the Tigers’ second late-inning win over the White Sox in just under 24 hours, further delaying Chicago’s march to an American League Central title. And as Detroit finishes out its season, it has won four of its last five games against the Sox, reversing the club’s struggles over the previous two and a half seasons — with four more matchups between the two sides to go.
The weather will determine if the Tigers will have a chance at a series sweep on Wednesday, or if they will have to wait until next week. The forecast of heavy rain was enough of a concern that Tuesday’s game was moved up from an evening start to a midday matinee. Starters Tyler Alexander and Dallas Keuchel overcame 19 combined hits to deliver five innings of two-run ball each. The Tigers missed a chance to pull ahead in the sixth inning when Victor Reyes was thrown out at home plate, but back-to-back singles from Robbie Grossman and Jeimer Candelario to lead off the seventh set up the winning rally.
Jace Fry seemingly thwarted the threat by inducing a double-play grounder from Eric Haase, but Goodrum converted with an opposite-field line drive off the lefty. Back-to-back walks from Daz Cameron and Isaac Paredes loaded the bases for Reyes, whose opposite-field ground ball through the right side provided insurance runs off Aaron Bummer.